(UK, 10 May 2014) Paul Tapner (AUS) riding Kilronan, today Saturday 10 May 2014, is the current leader after the cross-country phase, with Tim Price (NZL) riding Ringwood Sky Boy in 2nd place, and Pascal Leroy (FRA) riding Minos De Petra in 3rd place, at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, in Gloucestershire, UK.
It is Australia, New Zealand, and France in a 1-2-3 at the Badminton Horse Trials after a dramatic day’s cross-country. Many of the top names could not make it around the challenging course, with tough weather conditions of wind and rain testing all horse and rider partnerships to the limit.
Paul Tapner rode a brilliant round after a stunning dressage test to take him from second place into pole position. Many of the top riders including Nicholson, Clark Montgomery, Todd and Funnell, all came unstuck with falls or run outs. Tim Price currently lying in second place rose up the ranks from his overnight position in 41st place after the dressage! Similarly, French rider Pascal Leroy went clear with one of the fastest times of the day, finishing in third place after being 30th after the dressage.
Unfortunately, the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing live contender, William Fox-Pitt (GBR), could not stay on board Parklane Hawk at fence 28 in today’s cross-country phase, after winning the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event last month in such style and so a new contender will be crowned tomorrow.
Results after the Cross-Country Phase
1. Paul Tapner/Kilronan (AUS) 56.4
2. Tim Price/Ringwood Sky Boy (NZL) 61.6
3. Pascal Leroy/Minos De Petra (FRA) 62.5
4. Oliver Townen/Armada (GBR) 62.7
5. Sam Griffiths/Paulank Brockagh (AUS) 63.9
6. Pippa Funnell/Billy Beware (GBR) 66.3
7. Tim Lips/Keyflow NOP (NED) 66.5
8. Harry Meade/Wild Lone (GBR) 67.4
9. Ludwig Svennerstal/Alexander (SWE) 72.0
10. Lucy Jackson/Willy Do (NZL) 72.0
Quote from Rolex Testimonee, Pippa Funnell (GBR), riding Billy Beware:
Q. Pippa – you are beaming!
I’m really, really beaming. You guys (media) put a whole lot of doubt in my head yesterday, when the first thing you all said was he’s only done one three star – is he experienced enough?! All night I’ve been thinking it’s raining, and he’s not had the mud before. So I’ve never been ‘have I made the right decision?’
As I said yesterday, I was going to set out with not the time in my head – I was really pleased as he’s never done the trip before and he kept digging deep. I certainly didn’t help him at a few fences and he showed me his class!
Quote from Paul Tapner (AUS) riding Kilronan:
Q. Paul – did your cross-country go as you planned?
No it definitely didn’t go exactly according to plan because I wasn’t within the time! I went long at Huntsman Close which wasn’t part of the plan but I knew I was in a bit of trouble in terms of the petrol left in the tank when I was coming back up into the park after the Vicarage (fence 15) – didn’t have enough energy left as I wanted and needed to conserve energy.
It wasn’t about the clock. It was about getting the job done; it was about getting clear and getting home. The Australian coach said that ‘it’s a battlefield out there’ and you’ve only got to look at the scoreboard to see that.
Quote from Tim Price (NZL) riding Ringwood Sky Boy:
Q. Were you worried about the course and the stamina needed?
Absolutely, the whole way really. In that department I think that’s what set him apart, by the ease in which he jumped around. He just felt brilliant in his fitness and the way he traveled… he did go early so that had a little advantage, but he just felt great.
Quote from Oliver Townend (GBR) riding Armada:
Q. How was the ride today?
I thought it was down to myself and my own ability to get the best out of Armada. We all know Armada is an unbelievable horse cross-country and if there was going to be a mistake it was going to be jockey rather than horse.
For the first time ever I did feel we ran out of petrol. Normally I finish with a double handful with his ears pricked, but this time, going up to the Quarry I gave him a bit of squeeze but there was no reaction. But like a good old horse he pricked his ears and galloped on properly again to the next few fences.
Copyright Free Audio
Please click on the following links for copyright free audio of the post-event Press Conference after Cross-Country Day with the top three placed riders and other interviews as below:
Pippa Funnell, riding Billy Beware after Cross-Country http://po.st/eVVxVf
Pascal Leroy, riding Minos De Petra after Cross-Country http://po.st/PNa9Ni
Oliver Townend, riding Armada after Cross-Country http://po.st/KMDg4H
Paul Tapner riding Kilronan and Tim Price riding Ringwood Sky Boy after Cross-Country http://po.st/LkEpwx
For more information on the 2014 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and full Results/Leaderboard, please visit www.badminton-horse.co.uk.
Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing
In 2001, Rolex created the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This trophy is awarded to the rider who manages to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials event in any consecutive order. Until now, only British rider Pippa Funnell has managed this staggering achievement, winning the title in 2003.
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